I've long maintained that this nationally televised prime-time spectacle Sept. 1 at Jerry World in Arlington, Texas, depends more on how badly Nick Saban wants to stick it to his former in-state nemesis when he coached Michigan State. Is his motivational preparation simply to get a season-opening victory against another top 10 team or does he desire a definitive statement that, regardless of the sizable NFL defections from last year, this Crimson Tide edition is a more than worthy national championship defender?

That provides the perfect opportunity for Michigan coach Brady Hoke to make his own statement -- the integrity of the program is always more important than one game.

Stop evading the issue, Hoke.

The longer he declines in publicly rendering a final verdict on Toussaint's availability against Alabama, the more I'm convinced he'll play the suspended 1,000-yard rusher in the game. And that'll make Hoke as much of a hypocrite as all these other coaches -- Mark Dantonio included -- who preach accountability and consequences, but ultimately cave to convenience.

Hoke announced Sunday that Toussaint -- along with suspended defensive end Frank Clark -- would resume practicing with the team today. Toussaint remains suspended following his arrest July 21 on charges of drunken driving. Two days later, Clark was charged with second-degree home invasion involving the theft of a laptop.

It has been a troublesome 15 months for Michigan football. It has dealt with eight arrests or criminal citations during that period.

"Some of us have not made great decisions," Hoke said, "and they're paying for it. (They're) paying for it with consequences."

What consequences?

Hoke won't say.

Five a.m. wind sprints up the rows of Michigan Stadium every day for a month?

The only consequence that matters is finally teaching these spoiled children of athletic privilege that their individual recklessness brings serious collective ramifications. But when that collective cost risks seriously weakening a team or perhaps costing it an important game, everyone seems more forgiving.

If the Wolverines opened their season in Ann Arbor against one of the state's directional schools, I assure you that Toussaint would sit. The protectors of the Michigan program's perceived high holy ground would high-five each other from the mountaintop, applauding how standards mean more than standings.

But there's immense pressure on Michigan to build upon last year's surprising 11-win success, especially with Ohio State barred from the BCS stage this year and Penn State condemned to its own special place in hell. The Big Ten desperately needs a nationally relevant, top-10 ranked Michigan at regular season's end. Not merely a politically resourceful Michigan.

An upset win over Alabama would be huge for Hoke -- even a close loss would trigger an appreciative sigh of relief from Michigan fans.

Just call it for what it is. It's all about winning ... period. Blather on all you wish about youthful mistakes and second chances, but the only reason Dantonio reinstated starting cornerback Chris Rucker as quickly as he did two years ago upon his release after serving an eight-day jail sentence was because the unbeaten Spartans had a crucial road game against Iowa two days later.

Hoke's silence makes me think he's not any different in selecting the appropriate morality for the appropriate time.